Town of Sunman Seeking Letters of Support for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements

A $4.7 million, shovel-ready project has been proposed.

(Sunman, Ind.) - The Town of Sunman is pursuing a Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements Project to modernize aging water systems, protect public health, and ensure safe, reliable drinking water for decades to come.

As part of this effort, the Town of Sunman is asking community members, businesses, organizations, and partners to consider writing a letter of support for this important project. These letters are designed to help demonstrate to federal decision-makers that this project has strong local backing and is critical to the community’s future.

Letters can be simple and personal, featuring:

•  The importance of safe, reliable drinking water
•  Why this project matters to you, your family, or your business
•  Support for responsible investment in Sunman’s future
•  The value of proactive infrastructure Improvements
•  The project is a good reason to pay taxpayer funds

Letters should be addressed to:

The Honorable Mike Simpson
Chair, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

Submitted through:

The Honorable Erin Houchin
U.S. House of Representatives

Those who need help submitting a letter, should reach out to Cheryl Taylor at 401-710-1404 or email clerk@towofsunman.org. The deadline is March 4. 

The Sunman Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvement project is estimated to cost $4.7 million. Work would include:

• Water Treatment Facility: Rehabilitation and replacement of aging components originally constructed in 1950, with 1960s additions now beyond their useful life, including replacement of the high service pumps, revitalization of a pump that previously could not be repaired, and filtration system upgrades as current media is beyond its useful life and leaks are causing operational issues.
• Water Wells: Cleaning and repair of four wells installed between 1965 and 1993 to improve reliability and capacity during peak demand.
• Elevated Tanks: Inspection, tenting, abrasive blasting, repair, and recoating of two elevated storage tanks (75,000-gallon from 1950 and 200,000-gallon from 1981), including safety upgrades. One tank has tested positive for exterior lead-based paint, requiring proper containment and remediation.
• Water Mains: Installation of approximately 5,500 linear feet of new 6-inch mains to loop dead-end mains and replace undersized cast-iron mains, improving pressure, hydrant flow, fire protection, and water quality.

Sunman has invested nearly $3 million in infrastructure over the last six years, but limited revenue means this project needs funding. The project is fully shovel-ready with a recent Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), updated Asset Management plan, and supporting studies and mapping completed

"Funding this project now is critical. It will prevent costly emergencies, protect the environment, strengthen public safety, support the workforce, and ensure Sunman remains a thriving, resilient community for decades to come," reads a statement from the Town of Sunman.